SafeRing & SafePlus

Compact gas-insulated switchgear for all applications in secondary power distribution. Bridging Tradition and Innovation with SF6 and SF6-Free Technology.

SafeRing & SafePlus

ABB’s gas-insulated switchgear portfolio for secondary distribution includes the SafeRing, ring main unit (RMU), and SafePlus switchgear platform designed for all indoor and outdoor applications including high altitudes (higher than 1500 m above sea level) and harsh weather conditions. Both switchgear solutions are fully compliant with IEC standards.  

SafeRing/SafePlus also offer an SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) -free variant, called SafeRing Air/SafePlus Air, with dry air as the insulation medium and fully compliant with the IEC standards and the EU F-gas regulation (EU) 2024/573. The SF6-free versions are designed with the same interface, footprint, and operations as the original SafeRing and SafePlus switchgear.  

Since 1967, ABB has been delivering gas-insulated (GIS) switchgear. As we continued to innovate, in 2013 we launched our SF6-free GIS for secondary distribution. Our next generation of SF6-free switchgear solutions, using dry air and natural origin gas technology for 24 kV and above applications is now coming to the market. 

 

SafeRing/SafePlus (SF6) - insulation medium.

SafeRing and SafePlus with SF6 gas (sulfur hexafluoride) as the insulation medium:  

  • SF6 gas contained in a welded stainless-steel enclosure.
  • Pressure system is sealed for life with an operating lifetime longer than 30 years. The leakage rate of SF6 is less than 0.1% per year.
  • All panels are routinely tested, gas-filled pressure and relief duct installed in the factory – eliminating gas-work onsite – and enabling faster installation. 

ABB’s complete transition to SF6-free switchgear will be phased in line with our ambitious sustainability targets, evolving regulatory deadlines, market demand, and production capacity. 

SafeRing Air/SafePlus Air (SF6-free) - insulation medium.

SafeRing Air/SafePlus Air, SF6-free, with dry air as the insulation medium:  

  • Same interface, footprint, and operations as SafeRing and SafePlus - no additional training required.  
  • Global warming potential (GWP) = 0 
  • Puffer-type load break switch (LBS) specifically for SF6-free applications. The LBS effectively interrupts load currents in dry air and is a well proven technology in SafeRing/SafePlus SF6-free application for many years.
  • Modified gas enclosure design to withstand high filling pressure

 

Product scope

  SafeRing / SafePlus SafeRing Air / SafePlus Air
Max. rated voltage up to 40.5 kV up to 24 kV 
Max. rated continuous current (busbar) 630 A up to 630 A
Max. rated short-time withstand current up to 20 kA (24 kV), 3s 
up to 25 kA (12/36/40,5 kV),
3s 		 up to 20 kA, 3s 
Insulation medium SF6 Dry air (SF6-free)
Other
  • High duty circuit breakers with M2 (10000 operations) mechanical endurance 
  • High duty circuit breakers with M2 (10000 operations) mechanical endurance 
Applications Distribution, Renewable Energies, Building and Infrastructure, Data Canters, Industry and Transportation Distribution, Renewable Energies, Building and Infrastructure, Data Canters, Industry and Transportation

Voltage ranges above 24kV up to 40.5kV and most of the configurations existing for equivalent SF6 range will be progressively introduced before the EU F-gas ban dates.

Customer benefits

Sealed system

<ul> <li><p>Climatically independent as all live components and switching functions are contained within a stainless-steel tank protecting them from soiling, humidity, foreign bodies, and other environmental influences. Capable of operating in industrial polluted, high corrosive environments and flood-risk areas&nbsp;</p> </li> <li><p>Normal operational altitude is up to 1500 m above sea level. Beyond this, the system can also be installed at altitudes exceeding 1500 m with the provision of adjusting the internal pressure to ensure optimal performance.&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul>

Compact and reliable

<ul> <li>Very low maintenance requirement due to a sealed for lifetime gas tank.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> </li> <li><p>Compact design with small footprint.</p> </li> <li><p>As an alternative to traditional transformers, these units can be outfitted with sensor technology for current and voltage measurement. They also feature advanced automation and control with the IEC 61850 communication protocol. Additionally, they offer condition monitoring and diagnostics, providing secure access to condition and operational data. This supports optimal switchgear operations and helps to reduce maintenance costs.</p> </li> <li><p>Puffer-breaking technology is a proven method used in SF6 breaking in high voltage and medium voltage applications and has been in use for more than 50 years. ABB has adopted this technology and introduced it in its SF6-free secondary switchgear portfolio.&nbsp;</p> </li> <li><p>All panel variants can stay in service up to the point of repair, even in the unlikely event of a leak. Contact ABB for further details.</p> </li> </ul>

Safe

<ul> <li>Internal arc certified design offers a high level of operator safety with front, rear and lateral arc protection, certified with accessibility A FLR 20 kA 1 s according to IEC 62271-200.&nbsp;</li> <li>Active internal arc protection (optional) with an arc suppressor device enhancing safety for operators by rapidly detecting and eliminating internal arcs is an available option.</li> <li>Both switchgear solutions are operator friendly with a copy of the switchgear diagram on the front of the panel so there is no need to open the doors for manual operations.</li> <li>Wide range of monitoring and diagnostic features for safe and reliable operations.</li> <li>Downstream earthing switch ensures that the section of the circuit being worked on is completely de-energized, reducing the risk of electrical accidents, allowing safe operations and maintenance.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> </ul>

Insights

ABB will supply its next-generation SF6-free switchgear to E.ON in Germany

ABB has partnered with E.ON, Germany’s largest distribution system operator (DSO), to supply its new sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-free gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). As a DSO, E.ON is responsible for operating, maintaining, and developing the medium- and low-voltage electricity networks that deliver power to end users.

SafeRing Air & SafePlus Air MV Switchgear – the power to adapt

The SafeRing Air ring main unit (RMU) and SafePlus Air switchgear utilize dry air as their insulation medium, resulting in a global warming potential (GWP) of zero. Our units are fully compliant with IEC standards and the EU F-gas regulation (EU) 2024/573.

Making the switch from SF6 - power to adapt

A critical change is coming to Europe’s medium-voltage infrastructure. From January 2026, the use of SF₆ in medium-voltage switchgear up to certain voltage levels will be restricted in the European Union. Andrea Estrada-Hein, EVP, Global Business Line Switchgear shares what you need to know — and why now is the time to act.

Try our Medium Voltage Tools

There is a Medium Voltage tool for every switchgear and its applications. Click the button below to try them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

SafeRing, including SafeRing Air, switchgear is a compact standardized RMU for secondary distribution networks. It is available in different pre-defined configurations and designed for most switching applications.  

SafePlus, including SafePlus Air, is metal enclosed compact switchgear that provides greater customization than the SafeRing platform. SafePlus offers an identical user interface offering than SafeRing, but also: 

  • More flexibility to meet customer requirements due to the switchgear configurations (flexible combination of switch-fuses, line load break switches and circuit-breakers) 

  • Advanced grid automation and a full range of protection relays 

The primary difference between SafeRing/ SafePlus and SafeRing Air/ SafePlus Air is the insulation medium: 

  • SafeRing/SafePlus contains SF6 gas (Sulfur hexafluoride) as insulation medium. The SF6 gas is contained in a welded stainless-steel enclosure. The pressure system is sealed for life with an operating lifetime longer than 30 years. 

  • SafeRing Air/SafePlus Air is SF6-free suitable for most 6kV to 24kV switching applications, with dry air as the insulation medium and a global warming potential (GWP) = 0. It is fully compliant with the IEC standards and the EU F-gas regulation (EU) 2024/573. 

SafeRing/SafePlus Air are designed with the same interface, footprint, and operations as the original  SafeRing/SafePlus. 

The standard  SafeRing/SafePlus Air are engineered with a puffer-type load break switch (LBS) specifically for SF6-free applications. The LBS effectively interrupts load currents in dry air. Puffer-breaking technology is a proven method used in SF6 breaking in high voltage and medium voltage applications and has been in use for more than 50 years. ABB has adopted this technology and introduced it in its SF6-free secondary switchgear portfolio for normal supplies already in 2020 and have a large installed base of switchgear in operation. 
The puffer switch, based on proven technology and part of the installed base of over 40,000 functional units with Dry Air, is specifically optimized for SafeRing and SafePlus Air, ensuring a reliable and tested solution. Moreover, it is extensively used since decades in SF6 current breaking for medium voltage components (circuit breaker) and at higher voltage.